Why don't I feel better after a massage?

Author: Ms. Jannie Kozey  |  Last update: Wednesday, October 1, 2025

A deep tissue massage usually leaves the muscles feeling sore, as if clients have done intense exercise, and when there is muscle soreness, the immune system naturally activates T-Cells to try to repair those muscles. As such, this immune system response can make some clients feel as if they are ill.

Is it normal to not feel great after a massage?

It's common to feel relaxed, tired or even sore after a massage. This is because your muscles are being worked by the massage therapist. After a massage, it may feel like you completed a workout. It is possible to experience a headache or nausea after a massage.

Why do I feel unwell after a massage?

After a massage, lactic acid and metabolic waste products can be released into the bloodstream, causing flu-like symptoms and fatigue.

What are the symptoms of massage release toxins?

Feeling unwell after a deep massage is common due to the body's response to toxin release, immune system activation, and muscle recovery. Symptoms like fatigue, mild fever, or nausea usually pass within 24-48 hours. Staying hydrated, resting, and eating light meals can help speed up recovery.

How long after a massage will I feel better?

There is a possibility you may feel sore for 24-48 hrs after the massage but that will ease and eventually disappear in the next 24-48 hours.

Why do I get sore after a massage?

Is it normal to be sore 3 days after a massage?

Typically, the soreness should gradually decrease within 24 to 48 hours as the muscles recover. This is considered a normal part of the healing process and should not be a cause for concern unless the pain is severe or persists beyond a few days.

Can massage therapists feel knots?

In conclusion, yes, massage therapists can indeed feel knots in your muscles. Through their extensive training and experience, they have honed their ability to detect areas of tension and release them effectively.

What is a healing crisis after massage?

As the body detoxifies, it is not uncommon to experience flu-like symptoms including dizziness and light-headedness, an odd or metallic taste in the mouth, headache, joint and muscle pain, body aches, sore throat, general malaise, nausea, increased sweating, urination or defecation, chills, skin eruptions, itches or ...

How do you know if your body is full of toxins?

If you have been fighting a battle with acne, irritations, rashes, or even conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, it could be your body's way of telling you it's getting a bit bogged down by toxins.

Can you have a bad reaction to massage?

One of the most common side effects of massage therapy is muscle soreness. This occurs because massage techniques involve manipulating the muscles, which can cause temporary microtrauma to muscle fibres, similar to the effects of a workout.

What is post massage malaise?

Flu-like symptoms are fairly common after a deep tissue massage, and is known as Post Massage Soreness & Malaise (PMSM). PMSM presents differently in everyone with different degrees of severity, and the appearance of different flu-like symptoms.

How do you know if you got a bad massage?

Discomfort or Pain During the Massage

Experiencing sharp pain or excessive discomfort during or after the session is a clear indication that the massage wasn't beneficial. While some discomfort can be normal, especially with deep tissue massage, it should never cross the line into sharp pain.

How often should you get massages?

1. What are the general massage frequency guidelines? It is generally recommended to get a massage once a month to maintain the benefits of relaxation and stress relief. However, some individuals may benefit from more frequent sessions, especially if they have specific health concerns or physical discomfort.

Can massage release trapped emotions?

The short answer is: Yes, absolutely. Massage therapy alleviates physical pain and promotes relaxation. Massage therapists often target areas of the body where tension and emotions may be stored, which can trigger their release.

Why don't massages feel good to me?

Another big reason why massages hurt is that the person receiving them isn't relaxed. You might be tense from an earlier experience or from something else in your life that's getting in the way of a good massage. If this is the case, then you might be able to ease your feelings by relaxing in the massage room.

What are the metabolic wastes after massage?

By releasing a variety of toxins — from metabolic wastes like lactic acid and urea to stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline — massage provides a plethora of health benefits that extend well beyond simple relaxation.

What does it feel like when toxins are released?

The release of stored toxins in your bloodstream causes muscle aches, nausea, and headaches, making it harder to fall and stay asleep. Here are a few reasons why: The sudden absence of alcohol or drugs, which may have previously induced sedation, can disrupt normal sleep patterns.

What is the fastest way to flush your body of toxins?

Do mainstream detox products work? The human body has a self-based mechanism to remove toxins. The fastest way to detox your body is to drink water, get enough sleep, exercise, lower sugar intake, and eat probiotic foods. In recent years, "detox" has become somewhat of a buzzword.

What are the symptoms of heavy metals in the body?

Acute exposures are dangerous and can quickly cause serious health effects or death. Some signs of acute poisoning can be confusion, numbness, nausea and vomiting, and coma. If you are concerned about acute heavy metal poisoning, call the Oregon Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 and contact your health care provider.

Why do I feel terrible after a massage?

Increased circulation: One of the main reasons why some people feel sick after a deep tissue massage is due to the increased circulation in the body. During a deep tissue massage, pressure is applied to the muscles which can help improve blood flow and circulation.

What is the inflammatory response to massage?

We feel sore after massages for the same reason we feel sore after a good workout, Bodner explains. “It forces blood into your muscles and helps bring in nutrients. This process can temporarily increase inflammation in areas that the body feels need attention.”

How long does detox flu last?

Typically, the onset of these symptoms is very rapid. You may experience some symptoms immediately after a treatment, or up to 2 to 3 days later. The worst of the symptoms may last as little as a few hours or as long as several days. The longer the symptoms last, the stronger the healing crisis.

What does it feel like when a knot releases?

This myofascial release has a comparable sensation to being rocked by your mother when you were a baby. It causes a pleasant wave sensation to travel throughout the body. It is, in fact, a relaxing experience. That wave infiltrates the restricted areas to allow for softening.

What does it mean when a massage therapist says you're tight?

4 Talking about tightness suggests an uncanny ability to feel your pain. The therapist is saying, in effect, “I can tell that you are feeling stiff, because I can feel your tight muscles.” This is a good way to impress anyone with a body.

Can a masseuse tell if you're stressed?

You Are Super Stressed

When the massage begins all the signs are there. Our poor muscles become taut and tense during stressful times, especially so in the shoulders, nec,k and head. Constant muscle tension causes aches and pains too so there are usually some tender areas as well.

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